Personalized cancer vaccines; Medicare drug price negotiations; cannabinoids for broken bone repair – Morning Medical Update

Cancer vaccines around the corner?

Even with all the health care developments and technology up to 2024, personalized cancer vaccines may seem like a far-off medical dream. Actually, they may be a medical reality much sooner than you think, said one expert discussing results of a new test of mRNA shots. “We are way closer than we ever thought,” with potential for review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as early as 2025.

Let’s make a drug price deal

Negotiating drug prices for Medicare will lead to lower prices and thus cost savings, right? Not if the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) doesn’t have information about prices and rebates in price talks between pharmaceutical makers and other buyers. Two scholars argue HHS may not have a full picture about drug prices as it bargains with Big Pharma.

Cannabinoids vs. broken bones

A new study found cannabinoids helped reduce pain and promote bone fracture repair better than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Researchers say more information is needed before physicians can send patients home with cannabidiol and cannabigerol compounds, along with casts and crutches.